Rosh Hashanah Dinner

Like all Jewish holidays, Rosh Hashanah begins on the sunset of the day before, so the festive Rosh Hashanah Dinner is celebrated during that evening. Families gather to celebrate the Rosh Hashanah Dinner with special blessings and the lighting of candles. During this festive meal famileis use their best china and silver, and cover the table with a festive white tablecloth.

The Lighting of Candles

The act of candle lighting (Hadlakat Nerot) symbolizes the transition from the regular day to the sacred holiday. The candles (at least two) are lit eighteen minutes before the sunset.

After lighting the candles, both hands are waved towards the face, symbolically drawing in the light of the candles and the sanctity of the holy day. The eyes are covered and the blessing is recited.

Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe who has chosen us from among all people, and exalted us above every tongue and sanctified us with His commandments, and you gave us, Lord our God, with love this day of [Sabbath and this day of] remembrance, a day of [remembrance of] shofar blowing [with love] a holy convocation, a memorial of the exodus from Egypt. Indeed, You have chosen us and made us holy from all peoples and Your word is true and established for ever. Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King over all the world, Who sanctifies [the Sabbath] and Israel and the Day of

Challah Bread

You should place two loaves of Challah Bread on the Rosh Hashanah table, and cover them with a cloth. Round Challahs are even better (to symbolize a perfect, cyclical year to come), and Challah with raisins are sometimes used for added sweetness.

Apples and Honey

One of the things found on almost every Rosh Hashanah table are apples cut into slices and honey. It is customery to eat a slice of apple dipped in honey, and recite two blessings while doing so: